OMMA Catalogue Number

OMMA-0093

Artist

Jesse Saunders

Title

“On and On”

Release Details

Issued in 1984 as a 12-inch single by Jes Say Records (catalogue number JS9999). Pressed in the United States and distributed as a commercial retail release.

Edition & Variant Identification

First press commercial edition, corresponding to the black-label variant with white text identified as the earliest issue.

Matrix & Pressing Data

Runout A: JS9999 A ESC
Runout B: JS 9999 B

Physical Description

12-inch vinyl record on black vinyl. Labels are printed in white text on black stock, consistent with the identified first-label variant. The present copy was issued without a picture sleeve and is housed in a generic sleeve. No inserts are present.

Factory-Origin Characteristics

No factory-origin anomalies are observed on the present copy.

Condition Report

The vinyl surface is in Very Good Plus condition, with minor spindle trails and light signs of use but retaining a clean playing surface. Playback is clear and stable without background noise or skips. The labels remain intact; the B-side shows a small area of black marker visible upon close inspection.

Provenance

Purchased 12 February 2026 from Discogs seller WorldStylus.

Market Context & Historical Notes

Considered the first house record released to the public, Jesse Saunders’ “On and On” is perhaps the first tangible evidence of the house phenomenon that swept the world well into the 21st century. Pressed on his own label, Jes Say Records, Saunders also helped pioneer the DJ-driven, DIY ethos of the 1980s musical underground that spawned both EDM and hip-hop. By pressing the record outside traditional studio and label systems, Saunders was able to distribute the record quickly for immediate use in clubs. In doing so, the release marks a decisive transition from Chicago’s informal DJ culture to a self-sustaining ecosystem of small labels, pressing runs, and grassroots distribution networks that would define house music’s early expansion and later global influence.

Canonical Status in OMMA

This release is recognized by the Origins of Modern Music Archive as the artist’s canonical debut.